Universal Open-Backed Footwear Strap

ABSTRACT

A universal open-backed footwear strap having a strap having an adjustable fastener and a first connector mechanism. A second connector mechanism disposed on a sole of an open-backed shoe, wherein the second connector mechanism is selectively engageable with the first connector mechanism. The first connector mechanism and second connector mechanism create a strong enough attachment between the strap and the shoe such that they will not separate during use. The adjustable fastener can then be used to tighten the strap around a top of a user&#39;s foot to secure the shoe, eliminating the typical instability of open-backed shoes to allow the user to move more quickly and confidently, and to dance. The strap can be made available in a variety of materials and colors so as to match any shoe. Different length straps will allow for use with different shoe types and foot sizes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various types of footwear straps are known. Open-backed footwear has been around for centuries, and while comfortable and stylish, can often be limiting when a wearer wishes to be more active, such as to dance or to walk long distances. Open-backed shoes are prone to significant movement on the foot, and can even fall off entirely. This can cause a user to adjust her gait, limit her speed of movement, or slip and fall. A strap across the top of the foot to secure the foot of the user to the bed of the shoe makes a significant improvement in security. However, existing footwear straps are not design for universal use with any open-backed shoe. Of the few available straps that are not designed for a specific shoe, they require a heel to secure the strap in place. What is needed, and what the present universal open-backed footwear strap provides, is a strap that can be applied to any open-backed shoe, whether it be a stiletto, a mule, a wedge, or a slide, or a flat sandal.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to footwear, and more particularly, to a universal open-backed footwear strap.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The general purpose of the present universal open-backed footwear strap, described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a universal open-backed footwear strap that has many novel features that result in a universal open-backed footwear strap that is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by prior art, either alone or in combination thereof.

To accomplish this, the present universal open-backed footwear strap includes a strap having an adjustable fastener and a first connector mechanism. A second connector mechanism disposed on a sole of an open-backed shoe, wherein the second connector mechanism is selectively engageable with the first connector mechanism. The first connector mechanism and the second connector mechanism are one of hook-and-loop fasteners and snaps. The first connector mechanism and second connector mechanism create a strong enough attachment between the strap and the shoe such that they will not separate during use. The adjustable fastener can then be used to tighten the strap around a top of a foot of a user to secure said foot to the shoe. The strap can be made available in a variety of materials and colors so as to match any shoe. The strap will have a length between 4 and 8 inches, allowing for use with different shoe types and foot sizes.

Thus have been broadly outlined the more important features of the present universal open-backed footwear strap so that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figures

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a universal open-backed footwear strap on a shoe.

FIG. 2 is an isometric exploded view of the universal open-backed footwear strap and the shoe.

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the universal open-backed footwear strap and the shoe.

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of an alternative embodiment of the universal open-backed footwear strap and the shoe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular FIGS. 1 through 4 thereof, an example of the instant universal open-backed footwear strap employing the principles and concepts of the present universal open-backed footwear strap and generally designated by the reference number 10 will be described.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4 the present the universal open-backed footwear strap 10 is illustrated. The universal open-backed footwear strap 10 includes a strap 12 having an adjustable fastener 14 and a first connector mechanism 16. A second connector mechanism 18 disposed on a sole 20 of an open-backed shoe 22, wherein the second connector mechanism 18 is selectively engageable with the first connector mechanism 16. The first connector mechanism and the second connector mechanism are one of a hook-and-loop fastener 24 and a snap 26. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A universal open-backed footwear strap comprising: a strap having an adjustable fastener and a first connector mechanism; a second connector mechanism disposed on a sole of an open-backed shoe, wherein the second connector mechanism is selectively engageable with the first connector mechanism.
 2. The universal open-backed footwear strap of claim 1 wherein each of the first connector mechanism and the second connector mechanism are hook-and-loop fasteners.
 3. The universal open-backed footwear strap of claim 1 wherein each of the first connector mechanism and the second connector mechanism are snaps. 